Sixteen-year-old Maya has been best friends with Plum ever since they were kids.
Plum's dad, Ross Kenner, is a rock star, and his band has risen to fame in the six years since he left his wife and daughter behind. But now he's back to record an album and is hoping to see Plum again. Maya goes with Plum to meet Ross for dinner two nights running, loving the fancy food, celebrity gossip and especially the limo ride home. But then Ross kisses Maya, and the limo driver catches a moment on his phone that is not quite "appropriate". The photo circulates, causing trouble for everyone. Maya herself doesn't quite know how to feel. It was the best kiss she ever had, so is she a victim or not?
This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading-level book for teen readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don't like to read. The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.
Key Selling Points
• With its setting of the popular music milieu, this is a realistic look at grooming and inappropriate relationships and the temptations of glamor, wealth and fame.
• The book includes a strong, principled protagonist, a strong female friendship and positive adult female characters in a very realistic portrayal of teens with all their confused feelings and insecurities.
• Despite the inappropriate kiss, the main character refuses to see herself as a victim, instead acknowledging that the blame should be put entirely on Plum's adult father.
• Marthe Jocelyn is the award-winning author and illustrator of over fifty books for babies, kids and teens. Her illustrated books have been shortlisted for both the Governor General's Literary Award and the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award. In 2009 she was the recipient of the prestigious Vicky Metcalf Award for her body of work.
• Enhanced features (dyslexia-friendly font, cream paper, larger trim size) to increase reading accessibility for dyslexic and other striving readers.
In this high-interest accessible novel for teen readers, sixteen-year-old Maya's life is thrown off-balance when the rock-star father of her best friend kisses her in the back of a limo.
Marthe Jocelyn is the award-winning author and illustrator of nearly fifty books for babies, kids and teens. Her illustrated books have been shortlisted for both the Governor General's Literary Award and the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award. In 2009 she was the recipient of the prestigious Vicky Metcalf Award for her distinguished body of work. Orca Soundings are short, high-interest novels written specifically for teens. These edgy stories with compelling characters and gripping storylines are ones they will want to read. Reading levels from grade 2.0 to 4.5. Interest level ages 12+. What. Just. Happened?
